How Does Laos Exist?

[@RareEarthSeries]

Thanks to everyone who asked about our Patreon. I'll put out a full video when I get the time, but for those who want to jump the gun and get on board from the start, here's the link: www.patreon.com/rareearth It means a huge deal that so many have asked us to start an account. I never thought anyone would watch these videos, let alone support them.

[@thunderbird7854]

Rare Earth Western people are known to create conflict between nations example:- india pakistan iran bangladesh burma afganistan are the result of break and rule by creating conflict by the british. So now youre creating conflict between the Thai and Laos people and country. Thai and Laos are related in many ways. In olden days Thai and Laos prince and princesses had inter marry and we are related in that way. Our langguage and writing are very similar. We shared the same religion and culture. Also just like in the western society there are races or ethnicity and of course also religion. Long ago one of the ethnic of Laos people are very well known among us the Thai and Lao society that they possessed great knowledge in ancient magic. We still possessed the same ability. Till today we regard ourselves as related but by circumstances devided into 2 countries. Same as you westerners being forced into christianity by the romans and then creating subsections of christianity just because King Henry desperately need a male heir to his kingdom and protesting and modifying his religion and thus PROTESTANT created! So now Laos being a new country and a new country developing you people are creating fight between us just like the chinese immigrants in Laos taking all the opportunity of naive Laotians to invade their economy and soon trying to control and taking over the country just like that china man of Hailam/Hakka decent Thaksin Sinavatra did! Be care not to create war between countries. THAI and LAOS are RELATED!

[@TheElliasnardini1]

I just returned from tow weeks visit to lao, i find lao people are very humble people, but they are victims of poor government practices, poor health care, poor schooling, poor culture. unfortunately the loa food depend on a lot of spice, i find lao culture is very far distanced from civilized world, in my opinion lao people and their culture need years and years to catch up with the rest of the world. its for these reasons too many lao people have enternal diseases from all that unbalanced shit food they eating, they are eating very hot chili peppers almost with anything and everything including every meal of the day and fruits as well. Due poor schooling too much of their youth males and females are in some kind farms work and many of their females sadly are working in Bangkok in the posttiuotion industry or massage clubs... The entire country need complete social reforms and better government, lao food is not eatable by European or American, so if you plan a visit there, stock your self of on lots of tuna meat cans and once there like i did find some Chinese restaurants where I spend my tow weeks eating freidrice. Beside the marginally laos beautiful landscape, there are nothing about laos that you can say i want to visit again...

[@chung388]

@ saabu. U visit the wrong place buddy..talking about food.. Lao food meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables are organic no pesticide or chemical.. U didn't get to see the water fall of luang prabang, pakse, champasak in the north and south.8 or nine different water fall.. 2000 year old temple ruin Angkor waat of Cambodia,u be amazed how this people carried the heavy stone to built the temple on top of 100ft of moutian, with no tools.. plain of Jars date back to bronze age..in xieng khoung provience 2 to 3 thousand of them spread on a field weigh 3 to 4 tons..

[@chung388]

@ sabu lots of grill fresh chicken, if u preferred..Some hamburger and fried chicken to..if u preferred curry, lots of chicken curry too.

[@shivasrinivasan80]

Evan, you may be anything but an idiot is most certainly you are not. Wonderful video.

[@Fantagamer98]

I am from Laos 🇱🇦and I love this video, because all of it is true. The scars that have been carved on our ancestors still remain in Lao people's heart today and I always cry hearing those same old story, no matter how small and least developed Laos still is today, I am very proud that my country has came this far and I am sure that the hope our ancestors have given to us will spark a miracle and become mighty again in the future. I am proud of being Lao and how kind Lao people are even in the colonial era that when the French soldiers(who killed thousands of Lao people) has been caught and surrendered, none of my ancestors killed them but instead they let them all alive and sent them back to France to tell their masters that we forgive everything they have done to us just do not come to oppress us again. Although I really hate French in this story but I had many nice French friends, I do speak French and j'aime croissants!!! :))))

[@loogkaoneo2580]

Lao paid a big price but one thing the French did was giving Lao independence from Siam.

[@kinoyssy4147]

🙏🙏🙏

[@jamessisoutham1466]

I like french fries

[@f0repl4y]

Laos and Cambodia had suffered from our neighboring country Vietnam, China, and Thailand. Who has a hand in our government and politics. We should be allies but the neighboring countries wouldn't like that.

[@William30873]

Me too I am in laos

[@777shades]

Your work is worthy of a much larger audience.

[@Skip2MeLou1]

I don't think the name of the channel helps this series. "Rare Earth" would be a much better channel name without some guy's name in front of it. Most people don't know who Chris Hadfield is by name alone.

[@EmmaPie13]

Jaimie Knox it changed

[@lomamovaa99]

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@lomamovaa99]

Раздрай

[@lomamovaa99]

Раздрай

[@RhoninFire]

So Thais enslaved and discriminated a group of their "own" so hard that that the group became a distinct and unique people. Good job.

[@NangDeeSan]

The Thais (Siamese) were never a Tai-Kadai people. Just because they adopted a bastardized Tai-Lao language mixed with Mon-Khmer, does not mean they were the same as Tai-Lao people. Heck, their royal court even spoke Khmer up until they annexed/conquered Tai-Lao territories, Lanna (sister state with Northern Lao Luang Prabang) and Lao Viengchan and Lao Champasak kingdoms (Isaan today) and then changed their "national language" and identity in order to force a fake unification to control and keep people in check.

[@cHemon]

Almost every countries on earth are guilty of mistreating someone in thier history. Laos themselves are also not innocent and you can ask Hmong people why there are so many of them ending up in Thailand and the US.

[@cHemon]

Many Lao people are quite upset with Thailand for taking the land and people that they feel were theirs before. I can understand that and won't argue. However if you look at the living condition in both countries, more specifically in Laos and in Isan area of Thailand where the majority are Lao descents. Who actually have to endure more hardship in their lives? You can curse Thailand/Siam all you want but at least these people, despite some that look down on Lao people, treat Lao people in Isan much much better than Lao people treat their countrymen in their own country. Recent damn tragedy in southern Laos really prove my point when all the donation, money, rescue teams, heavy equipments, etc from all over Thailand that were ready to enter Laos but were hindered by Lao Government bureaucracy and their stupid restrictions. People in Thailand couldn't do anything, but felt sorry for the victims who lost everything in their lives.

[@thastayapongsak4422]

@@NangDeeSan well, the Thais in Siam were never Tai. It was a multicultural kingdom composing of Tai, Khom, Mon, etc. The alphabet is derived from ancient Khom. The language is a mix of Tai, Khmer, and Chinese languages. But it was THEIR choice to call themselves Thais, Speak Khmer, and Live in a country called Siam (which also is a cognate with Shan, the people in Myanmar). There were never true blood Tai in recorded history. Since ever when there was literature, the Tai people are already mixed blood.

[@chickendinner5572]

Yes, North East Thailand 18+ million people are ethnic Lao.

[@wondypondy5488]

As a Thai person, these sort of history are ones left out of our education system. Thank you for filling me in of stories (somewhat) of my country

[@cHemon]

Lolla Alloy It's quite normal for most countries that their history lesson mainly focus on fights between the equals and the strongers, not the weakers.

[@chansouvannarath3789]

They left out to promote patriotism especially during the war against communism. You go back around a few centuries we were more like city states, we call them muang, each muang had iys own king. May pay tribute to larger empire. Those city states were known as kingdoms of the thais not much distinction if it's lao or thai there were all thais. Nothern states were referred to as lao, present day lao or chiangmai.

[@khaopiak]

Did you hear about that Professor from Thammasat who got in trouble for questioning the Naresuan story?? I can understand history being Bias. That is normal. But most Thai history taught to students is a lie. It is for the purpose of building Thainess.

[@greenbean1169]

khaopiak it’s done all over the world, one country’s hero is another country’s villain. Winston Churchill for example is seen as a British hero but he cause millions to die in India.

[@khaopiak]

Thailand is another story. Most of their history is made up. Many of the figures in Thai history were made up out of thin air. That's just the tip of the iceberg. It's not surprising in a country where the King likes to wear crop tops/fake tattoos and wakes up in the middle of the night to skydive nude with his entourage.

[@zanseinofan01]

>pop. of 7 million with a landmass the size of Michigan >small As a Slovene, I've only one thing to say: HAH.

[@safuwanfauzi5014]

Slovene is great country, beutiful medieval city, unlike Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippine and Thailand is small country not big as Indonesia and Burma. and Burma have amazing great old city like Pagan, and Indonesia with Prambanan and Borodobur. Cambodia with Angkor Wat, Bayon, Vietnam with purple forbidden city in Hue and South Vietnam(Champa people annex by Vietnam in 1832AD) with Cham Tower.

[@devan6012]

Me a Luxembourger: ...

[@MichaelPowers1960]

Amazing how I never leave one of your videos without learning something important about the human condition.

[@won1853]

Never knew about the relationship between Thailand and Laos. I feel so ignorant but at least I learned something today.

[@eddenoy321]

Evenstar You feel Ignorant ? Many ppl don't even know anything outside their own backyard.

[@DAndyLord]

Ed Denoy I'd really like to learn more about the relationship between my back yard, Laos and Thailand. :)

[@eddenoy321]

LOL there is one , but you'd have to pay to learn it

[@stephenvoncrven4319]

well, there's so much history spread across the world that it's basically impossible knowing it all, unless you can become a full-time scholar with some out-of-the-sky money. don't feel bad.

[@烏梨師斂]

Evenstar It's like Germany and Austria. Austrians are Germans just like Lao are Tai.

[@xiengtongvongkham3178]

i live in laos. When i was a little boy, my grandparents and many villagers told me that the previous name of Laos was called Lane Xang. It was one of the largest, strongest and richest nations in Southeast Asia from 1353 to early 1700s. But in mid 1700s, Lane Xang (Laos), ruled by a king, faced internal political disputes and the country was divided into three main independent kingdoms or states namely Luang Prabang in the north, Vientiane in the centre and Champasak in the south. Thanks to the internal conflict, Siam (Thailand) militarily invaded and attacked the kingdoms for the sake of robbing more land and benefits. Siamese soldiers brutally and inhumanely killed hundred thousands of local Lao people and burnt and destroyed infrastrutures and facilities, including ancient Buddist temples and stole valuable, gold and silver Buddhas. During that period, Laos was so rich; almost Buddhist temples and pagodas were decorated with a lot of real gold, precious stones, saphire, etc. Moreover, Siamese soldiers forced hundred thousands, perhaps millions, to move to Siam country (Thailand) and then became slaves of Siam. Many Laotians were forced to make farms, feed animals, grow rice, vegetables, build roads, bridges, houses, etc and also forced to be soldiers to fight against Myanmar along side with Siamese soldiers becoz at that time, Siam and Myanmar were in war fighting against each other for territorial expansion and regional power. During Siam's aggression in Lane Xang, many Laotian villagers, especially local ppl in the north eastern parts were scared of the Siamese attack, so they displaced and crossed border to Vietnam leaving a lot of valuable Buddhas and precious stones hidden in caves, jungles and some burried under the ground. Today, if you visit small cities and villages in the western areas of Vietnam, you'll see thousands of Vietnamese ppl speaking Lao quite clearly. In fact these ppl moved from Laos to Vietnam during the Siamese invasion for their own safety. They were Lao refugees but now have become Vietnamese citizens becos they have lived there for centuries. Later, Laos was colonised by the French, and eventually heavily bombarded by the U.S during the Vietnam War. To conclude, historically, Laos was invaded and inhumanely bullied and brutally attacked by three big external powers -Thailand, France and USA respectively. We consider those periods of war as the bitter, dark old days. As for Japanese invasion during the WW 2, Laos did not physically fight against the Japanese, so they entered Laos easily and Japan did not destroy anything much.

[@G3NG3N]

จริงครับพรี่

[@ayangdidi5524]

Your history of Laos is quite true. May I , nevertheless, add that at the end of 19 th the old king of Lan Xang , during the Ho chinese invasion in Luang Phabang, was saved together with his family by a man called Pavie , a breton from Brittany in Western France. After that Pavie struggled for Laos escaping the thaï "main mise" and Laos. He wrote a book about his time in Laos " A la conquête des coeurs" telling his love for lao people. He his buried in Brittany and there is a monument wiyh scripture in Lao and French language on it.

[@Twila002]

This is the series I look most forward to each week. I really like your perspective of things. Thanks for making these.

[@CynBH]

Twila002 I completely agree ❤

[@stcrussman]

Semi-Secretly filming in a dictatorship; Comfortable

[@Ajsforg]

I'm kinda annoyed Laos is portrayed in this way. It's not North Korea, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit every year with no problems, many making vlogs and tourist video's on this exact site with no issues (you can look them up, just search 'Patuxai'). In fact, I'm sure if the Lao government knew that they were making a video about the Lao struggle and victory against numerous invaders and the French they would be very happy to let it go ahead So long as your not going out of your way to badmouth the government (and i mean publicly trying to get in trouble, likely they would give tourists a warning first), I doubt anything remotely bad would happen. Even then, you do the same thing about the monarchy next door in 'tourist friendly' Thailand and your going straight to the police station too. Likely the truth is the police probably weren't very happy with them flying noisy drones around one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city, or maybe they didn't have appropriate papers to be making a short documentary.

[@nikolai43v3r]

Fluid Karma They didn't even fly a drone though... They were taking the video from the top arch, he even said so in one of the comments

[@MultiDatura]

its just his dramaturgy, no one will arrest you for filming in Laos.

[@ilikepiratesroar]

Never personally had any issues with documenting things & the authorities while in Laos.

[@jayfawn8478]

bidar, i like you mentioned dramaturgy but its not the case more like social control or something

[@phillipleblanc7823]

Very well done. I came to Laos on vacation in early 2006. I have never left. It may be small but the Lao have the largest most generous hearts one could ever encounter.

[@viexay]

Your crazy ! I don't mind visiting but it soo hot ! I hated it there because of the humidity. I perfer my 4 season. So happy to be back in the states. I was in Laos back to 2009 and never went back. Now it's going on 2024. I might go revisit.

[@JWTodd]

I've watched so many of your "rare earth" videos and I really have to say this is something that should be shown in history classes. True documentation

[@lifeyang2]

Thx for posting. Very informative. My parents were from Laos and I've always wondered how a country with just 6 million ppl, next to other countries like Thailand and Vietnam that have like 80 million ppl each, even exist.

[@landamontmonape3030]

Absolutely, If Lao ( Lan Xang ) and it’s land were less and small in the past by now either one of it’s neighbors seized the Kingdom to control and there were never be country of Laos.

[@beep5514]

Laos is a bit larger than England, Scotland und Wales combined, so not that small really. Sure, it's smaller than Thailand and Vietnam and most definitly China, but Cambodia is much smaller and managed to build quite the empire in its golden age. So even in its geographical neighborhood it's not the smallest country. So, while its history is most certainly interesting, it's not due to Laos' small size I'd say, but more due to it's precarious geostrategical position which surrounds the country with competitors while leaving it without direct sea access and therefore a limited trade capacity. Furthermore half of it is a mountain range, which doesn't really make it ideal for settlement and therefore economic growth perhaps. So I can't really see Laos being the "protagonist" of a video titled "How the small survive", but more "How the disadvanteged and oppressed survive and then become an independent, but undemocratic country with a drug and education problem".

[@Schmidtelpunkt]

Indeed, that is a catchy title which definitely would encourage people to click!

[@beep5514]

That wasn't really meant seriously. However they could have thought of another title which would be accurate and catchy. Especially because they repeat their title throughout their videos like a thesis, which is, given its inaccuracy, not really a good way to present something, is it?

[@RareEarthSeries]

Robert Lee Lorengel Small is more than physical size. You've misunderstood the thesis and argued against the misunderstanding. Cambodia had a massive empire that slowly crumbled. The last millennium has been a near constant decline. They are a horrible example of how to be small, and have a very different backdrop and situation than Laos despite being in the same region. Comparing the two by physical size ignores the fact that this video is meant to talk about how Laos became a country, not what being the smallest country on earth is like.

[@beep5514]

Chris Hadfield's Rare Earth In which way are they small then? I realize that they it's not really about physical site, but what else? As I said, they're disadvantaged, is that what "small" refers to here? If so, why not say so? Generally I didn't get what the thesis was about. (I also didn't mock it or you, at least not intentionally.)

[@RareEarthSeries]

Robert Lee Lorengel Their population and infrastructure, as well as usable land, are the smallest in the region. There are few natural trade routes and no major cities. They survived not by creating a large expanding empire, like Cambodia did in the past, but instead survived within other empires. Because they were small.

[@darmstadtKrö367]

this is really great work. i really enjoy every one of your videos, they are a pleasure to watch.

[@Silberkrone666]

It almost always brings tears to my eyes when i am watching your well written videos. Your team's work is awesome. Greetings from Europe.

[@sjoemetsa]

Strinkingly similar to Estonia, a country in EU, which has 1.4mil inhabitants and has been under the rule of many, before gaining independence.

[@kasparpoldoja5405]

it really is. @Rare earth, you should make a documentary about Estonia also, there is a lot to tell to the world.

[@Georgije2]

We are lucky that we live in a period of history when it is not in the interest of large countries to annex small ones. But i think this can change at any time and we should not take it for granted that things will remain this way. Greetings from Slovenia.

[@MJ-uk6lu]

Similar situation in all Baltic countries

[@epicchik99]

I am trying to learn more about my Lao side of me. My grandmother and grandfather came from Laos to America during the Vietnam war

[@Coffeeisnecessarynowpepper]

Ellie Inthonepradith mr hyun!!

[@sweettea2034]

My mother’s side of the family also came to America from Laos, due to the rise of communism. I’m trying to learn more about my Laotian side as well

[@mrtacoakayourperson6952]

Same

[@mrtacoakayourperson6952]

@@sweettea2034 same my mother family is part of Laos and my dad is Mexican

[@josephgroves3176]

Francisco's nicknames get longer and more obscure with each episode

[@shade9592]

*Francesco

[@waslove]

Note: Small here doesn't mean small in size. Apparently it's a nuanced way of saying that were disadvantaged in many ways. I watched the whole video without knowing that and kept wondering how they had ever managed to split such a small country into three parts.

[@andycockrum1212]

I just found this channel today and i couldn't be happier. You guys clearly put a lot of thought into making these, great job!

[@Yetik11]

Im sorry, but your videos have a really big flaw....the images are just so damn beautiful i have a hard time focusing on your words :P Keep it up guys. amazing work. I always have that feeling of peace and serenity when i watch them...like a little oasis in the middle of my desertic week. They make me feel like the world has so much to offer, and that those countries's history can really tell us more about who we are and what we should be.

[@devins7457]

The single most interesting series KZbin has to offer. This "documentary" is not only unique and spectacular in its editing but informative enough to change a persons world view. I look forward to more of your videos!

[@landamontmonape3030]

I don’t blame them because how they’ve been taught in schools about their history. In their history text books saying that the first Thai kingdom started in Sukhothai ( Around 700 + years ) and then later Ayutthaya ( 500 + years ) but it never mentioned any record history prior the Sukhothai period. One of the Thai historians said Thai government and royal family don’t want Thai people to know more than what they really allow their people to know due to the history of earlier settlers in Sukhothai were related to northern Lanna kingdom ( Chiangmai, Chiangsaen, Chiangrai etc…) and Lao people in Luang Prabang or in other words either or both Tai people of Lanna and Lao people of Luang Prabang were ancestors of today’s Thais. It’s political matter for Thai royalty and government intention to do whatever it takes to forget or keep this part of history undisclosed.

[@mrgiskard]

I think this series is one of the best in the entire KZbin Universe. Keep it up man!

[@VandrefalkTV]

This is just.. amazing. And I'm not just talking about this one in particular, but I've absolutely loved every single bit so far. I feel like I cannot express enough how much I appreciate this. So to everyone involved in the making; thank you, thank you so much for making these.

[@Aleph_Nul]

haha i had something open in another tab and the seccond you mentioned Vietnam daunting militeristic music started playing, i thought that was some spicy sound effects for Rare Earth, anyway great video as always

[@chrit8519]

Thank you for creating this well-made short history of Laos. I am Laos myself and this video has given a brief but informative insight of my heritage.

[@Kateyangyuqing]

My boyfriend is Lao but I don't know much about Laos. Even he doesn't know much about Laos. I wish I could have met his dad. His dad would have known a lot about its history. His dad was a played some role in the royal government, I'm not sure exactly what but my boyfriend says he was some kind of minister, public land decisions or something like that would need his signature.in any case, he was educated in France and loved uni, loved learning, it sounds like he had a lot of knowledge, but he passed away a couple of years before I met my boyfriend. Sadly there's a bit of a language barrier between my boyfeid and his parents. Boyfriend speaks only casual conversational Lao with a heavy Australian accent but his parents have limited english. His dad could speak French fluently but had to learn English in Australia after migrating and the social barrier between fathers of that generation and their sons means that he didn't talk to his dad as much as he wishes he did. But when asked about things he was interested in or knowledgeable about, he apparently loved to talk about it, so I'm sure if he was alive he would have been happy to share. He wanted to move to France when leaving Laos but when you're a refugee you don't always get to choose, if you have the chance to go to a safe country with opportunities for your kids you take it. Still, it would have been soul crushing for someone who had such an illustrious career and was respected by a lot of people to have to start from scratch, not even knowing the language, and becoming a postie and tram conductor instead of a white collar job that makes use of your education.

[@lainj94]

Your story telling skills is next level. I'm subscribing :)

[@JenOween]

Thank you for making these. They're very well done. And you're not an idiot. You're brilliant.

[@MrJlevitin]

This series is brilliant! I'd love to see some videos on Myanmar if you are able to get into the country.

[@ishikawananda3688]

The Shan people have a pretty similar history.

[@CedricBale]

"Created by Evan Hadfield, who is starting to feel a lot more comfortable making these"

[@unvergebeneid]

He has to if he's fine with talking and gesturing into what must seem to all bystanders like absolutely nothing.

[@yourhandlehere1]

Wow, just had a mind trip. Watching this, I thought of a guy I went to high school with who was Laotian. Training me in kickboxing in his backyard. Which made me think of when I was training in TKD and Hapkido. Then how my dad was not so enthusiastic about it or coming to watch. And then I just realized it may have had something to do with my dad being in the Korean war. Maybe some lingering not so fond memories. Maybe not. He rarely ever mentioned it.

[@viexay]

What high school did ya'l attend?

[@newgabe09]

I'm in Laos now, loving it. And always love your vids, so this is a treat xx

[@MentorMary]

I have a whole new perspective of my country, all my life people have influenced me to believe that Laos came from Thailand, I am proud of my country for standing today. I have learned so much from this video, thank you so much for teaching me this history, I’ve been wondering how my country came to be, this was definitely an eye opener.

[@loogkaoneo2580]

Don't believe the propaganda that Lao came from Thailand. Lao is much older than that. Lao were the natives of China long before the Chinese. Chinese came from the Tibetan thousands of years ago. This history is not even the tip of the ice berg.

[@f0repl4y]

@@loogkaoneo2580 Agreed! Laos did not come from Thailand! Ya were enslaved by them.

[@landamontmonape3030]

It’s the other way around!

[@tsurugi5]

Laos and thais came from the same ancestor

[@yeadat8441]

Even though Lao lost most of their ancient artifacts and history due to the invasion of neighboring countries there is another country (China) that kept some major facts about the Lao people and historical events.

[@phanomsinhissaramounarart6991]

Even Cantonese is just ancient Han mixed with Lao.

[@leechaktatotato3355]

First time? *Cried in Khmer*

[@NoCareBearsGiven]

Phanomsinh C. What do you mean? People from canton or the language? Either way they are not mixed with Lao people

[@MickeyD2012]

A louse is small, too.

[@Marauder623]

Ha haaaaaaaaaaaaa

[@caitlyne7567]

Its Laos.

[@American_2]

@@caitlyne7567 It's a joke.

[@NowinLao]

Wow....what an awesome video!! Thank you so much for answering so many questions for me. Very well done!!

[@Poppamunz]

I find it interesting that they had to film this secretly. What issues could they have faced?

[@FOLIPE]

It'd weird if he were arrested because in a way he is praising Laos.

[@libbybollinger5901]

F. OPE I’d imagine he’d want to avoid having to explain that after being arrested tho

[@FaisalHussein]

So? The question wasn't about Thailand.

[@athsaspd7333]

Nothing. You can freely record anything in Laos as long as it is not against the communist party. The guy in the video is just exaggerating you don't need to film it secretly.

[@RareEarthSeries]

@@athsaspd7333 you absolutely cannot film with a microphone in public as a foreigner without getting hassled by police, as I experienced multiple times during this season

[@nightapple1402]

Now some of the French tourists come and act really friendly. By the way, I'm really impressed by how much you know about my city. Did you know my house is just around the corner by Patuxay?

[@vandaroleang2795]

I'm from Cambodia and I have visited Laos twice these past few years. Great country, great people. Laos as a country has a special place in my heart since we both suffered a lot historically being sandwiched by bigger countries. We were nearly swept out of the map but we refused to give up. That's why we are still here today. I hope nothing but the best for both countries. It's about time we shall enjoy the real prosperity and real development.

[@Dr-cu3gh]

you right vandaro . only two of our country are true friend . we are too soft too kind and they want to step on us . we need to be smart . not let other people from other country come fool us . we need to love ourselve and be ourselve . we need to teach our people . we have a right in our land . we have a right to say anything to other poeple from other country . we need to taking side for our people in our land .

[@ລີງງອຍຫຼັງກູ]

@@aq6017 instead thai , vietnam , myanmar , will be run over by china . just watch

[@imperialkhmer6146]

@@Dr-cu3gh As a khmer person am very sad to say laos is being control by vietnam 100 percent. Laos development is far far behind their neighbors due to vietnam meddling in the country.

[@alrobley9]

I find myself re-watching past videos ...so simply done yet nearly perfect in perspective, depth and scope. I could listen to these varying topics all day happily getting nothing else done! HAHA Thank you, thank you...eagerly await a fresh mini-documentary:)

[@chrisvillanueva2965]

Thanks for sharing your perspective of Laos. This is a great underdog story. No matter how hard they fought, and came out triumphant. They will always be known as the underdogs. It is what it is, but it doesn’t have to be.

[@KyrosX27]

Evan, were you uncomfortable before? It didn't show. Props to you guys (and if you have a team) of whoever is working on this series. Love it and looking forward to it. Say hi to your dad and wife for me.

[@TIENxSHINHAN]

I love you channel fam. I learn about shit I didn't even know I wanted to learn.

[@lonecrazyasian]

It's not filming that was the problem, it was likely the drone filming. That's why the cameraman was perched atop the monument to film. There is alot of government buildings nearby, great story by the way. History lesson for all ya'll, the Thai language came from the Laos folks. Found that out from an Asian history book back in college.

[@RareEarthSeries]

The real issue is filming someone with a microphone on. The drone is easy to hide when we need to.

[@seventian6117]

Lao is the most bombed country in the world by America B52 during Vietnam war，260 million bombs in 580,000 bombing mission. Soviet aids to Laos was allocated through Vietnam, so real independence only came after ending of that practice.

[@perrysouvana1137]

Well said, you did your study. Job well done. You know our country's history better than most Laotian people.

[@pyg9466]

Ain’t that the truth 😂😂 I was born there and I don’t know anything.

[@lemeejean1231]

You should mention the important role played by a breton born ( from Brittany) guy: Auguste Pavie who saved the life of the old king of Luang Phrabang, Oun Kham, during the attack of the Ho (Tai Ping) at the end of 19th century, saving Lan Xang kingdom. Pavie worked too by struggling against Thaï authorities who wanted to rule over north Laos. Pavie wrote his experience in a book: " A la conquète des coeurs". Tanmo Breton

[@nataliemoonsings]

“Laos is small. It spent its entire history being a vassal for more powerful states, a mouse among cats” .... well that made me feel questions wtf is there to be proud of😂😭 Distinct culture, and selfless people with big hearts that’s for sure! small ... but tough💪

[@thatoneguy_0218]

I love these videos, there actually interesting and make you think about things other than ourselves and what revolves around us

[@Jedi_Judo19]

Awesome video man and I can see the connections to this in Vientianne where I'm on holiday for a few days!! Mad respect for the Laos people!!

[@sapphirexwind]

Patuxay...been to three top of that arch. Beautiful view.

[@michimacho73]

Thank you. Now, after so many years, I understand a situation. There were two students from Laos in my class at University in Beijing. While having classical chinese lessons we had to learn much about chinese history. In a conversation with this two students there was a mixture of expressions on their face , they said chinese history was soooooo complicated, when I asked about the history of Laos, with a kind of sadness/bitterness maybe they said "our history is very simple". I got curious, but they didn't deepen into the topic.... Know I guess why...

[@lovenaturelovethyneighbor4919]

Laos' uniqueness is the only nation whose main diet is sticky rice... Keep up the good work!

[@Q8Caffeinated]

Any one has any idea on what equipment Francesco's using? Like, what kind of mic is being used? the sound is just awesome. I believe a DJI Ronin is being used as well. I'd really love an episode on how they go about preparing for a shoot! :)

[@xLove020306x]

Nice to know my country history. wow been in USA since I was 10 years old. 50 now. learn a lots in less than 8min. Thank you 🙏🇺🇸🇱🇦

[@hectorgamez3537]

Wow! What a great, serious but very good narrative and footage video lesson of history. congratulations and thank you.

[@scorpioninpink]

So France helped the Lao people to have its own identity by helping its language, history, and culture thrive.

[@RareEarthSeries]

France colonized them and then in an attempt to divide and conquer their subjects somewhat successfully fostered a unique identity that coincidentally outlasted their control. Saying it helped them would be a stretch.

[@abfab2517]

@@RareEarthSeries👎🏼 divide, and divide from Thailand are 2 different things. France was unity for Laos.

[@LaoSoftware]

I love Laos. Beautiful country. Good food. Good people.

[@GrimmDavid6]

I was asking myself the same about Bhutan. I mean why did Nepal get annexed by China, but not tiny Bhutan?

[@maya9589]

David Grimm this comment is a year old but can you tell me when Nepal got annexed by China? I think you're confusing it with Tibet, which is actually even bigger than Nepal. Nepal has remained independent throughout centuries(just like Bhutan) and was under the sphere of influence of China for a very very short time.

[@madamvivia5768]

Excuse me sir. I’m Laos. Laos person coming through

[@xdxghostxdx2062]

You too

[@maddoxmouangkhoua8483]

same

[@mikasalo9031]

Thai people still keep this up in a different way. Sad to see it. I have always been a fan of Laos and the fantastic people and that is why I live in Laos

[@landamontmonape3030]

I don’t blame them because how they’ve been taught in schools about their history. In their history text books saying that the first Thai kingdom started in Sukhothai ( Around 700 + years ) and then later Ayutthaya ( 500 + years ) but it never mentioned any record history prior the Sukhothai period. One of the Thai historians said Thai government and royal family don’t want Thai people to know more than what they really allow their people to know due to the history of earlier settlers in Sukhothai were related to northern Lanna kingdom ( Chiangmai, Chiangsaen, Chiangrai etc…) and Lao people in Luang Prabang or in other words either or both Tai people of Lanna and Lao people of Luang Prabang were ancestors of today’s Thais. It’s political matter for Thai royalty and government intention to do whatever it takes to forget or keep this part of history undisclosed.

[@jackhole2696]

Told me more than I knew about loas in under 10 minutes. Bravo

[@Flowy653]

I just imagine Evan holding all that cameras and quadrocopter in bag, saying 'we are just turists, no photo'.

[@TheBaltrum]

You are literaly my favourite contentcreator at the moment :)

[@soldierofgod7564]

😢😢😢thank you so very much for sharing Laos history to the world ❤🙏God bless you🙏

[@randomreptile3259]

Yet another fantastic video, keep it up!

[@tigersenethavisouk8481]

Nice quick summary of Laos! So much potential for Laos

[@pheunthai]

Thanks for a brilliant piece of historical documentary. Well researched, well presented. Subscribed!!

[@svjetlanaravlic7713]

I love your videos so much!! Such high quality of the content

[@Jo0f]

Interesting and well explained! I had no idea about the details you mentioned when I was there on the banana pancake trail some years ago.

[@anishapoorwakispotta7754]

I love the greenery of Laos. Love and Prosperity to Laos

[@nicoleannecollet]

What a wonderful video! Thank you for sharing it.

[@Silkendrum]

No one else has mentioned the pith helmet, so I will. Did you soak it? They will absorb a lot of water, which then evaporates and keeps your head cool. I love mine!

[@TheICEgirl6100]

1:25 you say they couldn't pronounce it but when i say it with a french accent it's the same? saying it in english seems to be what messes it up

[@Madarame-fc3uk]

This is informative. Both the video and the comments . Lots of history to digest

[@heidimarchant5438]

Just found this channel, love your vids🖒

[@xXTheSwedishVikingXx]

Great video as always, very interesting!

[@peruano-quichwa---aymara8611]

The breakup of Lan Xang has some resemblance to the three kingdom division of Arnor in Lord of the Rings - which contributed to the collapse by the realm of Angmar. Bizarre to realize this when Tolkien had never heard of Laos throughout his life and yet the story of Arnor and Lan Xang are shockingly similar.

[@kickwriteteach2313]

why did you have to film with a drone to avoid arrest?

[@LORDOFDORKNESS42]

Also curious. Some sort of historical slash holy site, or something?

[@RareEarthSeries]

It isn't a drone. We filmed from the top of the arch seen in the opening shot.

[@LORDOFDORKNESS42]

Still, why the risk of arrest mentioned?

[@TuffLP]

because Laos is a communist dictatorship and doesn't like people filming without government control

[@RareEarthSeries]

Mattias Svensson Many dictatorships do not allow you to film with a microphone on. Dozens of Lao people came to us in warning any time we filmed not to be seen by police. Since this was at Patuxai, that meant filming directly in front of the police guarding the monument. We had a number of uncomfortable moments with authority while in Cambodia and Laos. But that's the point. We intend to go everywhere, and that's not necessarily safe for the normal walk and talk. Prepping the audience for certain styles fitting certain needs is important for the future of the series.

[@insomphoupiak]

Thank you for sharing. The "tattoo" I know something I don't like to have and now I got the reason.

[@TulipsAbroad]

great video learned something I didn't know about a place I will visit soon! also will record everything and put it on youtube!

[@justgrigorthings]

I can't even with how good these always are

[@NoNonsenseBangkok]

Very interesting and very well done. Thank you for making the video.

[@ronadyson1075]

As I have been to Laos several times, now that I am back in England I am really pleased to hear this very interesting historical commentary. Thank you from Anglo French Ms Rona J DYSON

[@martiforse4764]

I am so curious about Laos because I know nothing of it. it's one of those countries that have an empty dossier in my mind. I'm hungry for more. both past and present.

[@Michael_Haddad]

I love these videos! Please continue making them!

[@aseangunner9380]

Add the north eastern part of Thailand to Laos and then you’ll get the real population of Laos. Thai issan are ethnically Lao and was part of the Lao kingdom

[@itskrill]

who writes these videos? they are beautifully written.

[@dankdweb]

Cool video! Love learning about Lao history and you have some great footage. I think I would understand it better though if you had visual aids that represent what you are describing incorporated into the video. Vox does this well and Bill Wurtz does as well though with more comedic effect

[@ranamayah]

Amazing story telling skills! 👌🏻

[@jayb8003]

It's good to know about my Lao history and I will definitely get that Lao hero tatted on me for giving us a name to be proud of. Lao pride till I die

[@vuetube4558]

This video gives a better perspective to appreciate my birth country Laos' history. Though I was barely 2 years old when my family left Laos at the height of the Secret War, I find Laos' history fascinating. No wonder to this day...the Thai still treats Laotians like they're inferior.

[@HarishChouhan]

Thanks for this video mate.

[@saraf5414]

Hey Rare Earth, I just absolutely adore your work! I'd love to have you bring interesting stories from my humble country, Bangladesh to your audience as well :)

[@simonesmith7877]

Great educational video,thank you

[@usenlim]

Rare earth always makes interesting history video. But can I know the sources It refers to?